LONDON (AlertNet) - Greater insecurity and the suspension of work by the U.N. World Food Programme in much of southern Somalia are forcing UNICEF to spend more money in the country just as the body is grappling with a severe funding gap.
About six months ago, the U.N. children's fund stopped storing supplies in war-torn Somalia after its compound was looted and violence worsened, Hannan Sulieman, UNICEF's deputy representative there, said on Friday.
UNICEF - one of the largest aid agencies in Somalia where a third of the population depends on humanitarian aid - has since been moving food, vaccines and medicines from the country's ports directly to the aid agencies it works with for distribution.
"It's more expensive and it takes more time," Sulieman, normally based in Nairobi, told Reuters AlertNet in an interview in London.
The costs of transporting supplies safely and protecting staff have doubled to about a fifth of the fund's overall expenses on Somalia, which include the cost of goods.
UNICEF has also had to take over a supplementary nutritional programme aimed at preventing more severe forms of childhood malnutrition, which can become a life-threatening condition.
The scheme was run by the World Food Programme (WFP) until January when the body pulled out from southern Somalia because of threats against its staff and because Islamist rebel group al Shabaab was demanding payments for security.
"We may need more funding for that programme. If that's the case, then in June this year we will revise our appeal (for funds)," Sulieman said.
UNICEF has said it needs $65.5 million for its work in Somalia this year. It has raised only $8 million so far.
It is likely funds are being diverted to help Haiti, devastated by an earthquake in January, while the global recession is another reason for thriftiness, Sulieman added.
The WFP is discussing with UNICEF the possibility of transferring the funds it earmarked for the supplementary nutritional programme to the children's fund, she added.
Somalia has had no effective central government for 19 years, and Western and neighbouring countries say the country provides sanctuary for militants intent on launching attacks in east Africa and beyond.
The government has said for several months it will launch a a major offensive against Islamist rebels.
UNICEF has been preparing for the possible escalation of conflict to be able to help larger numbers of displaced people, and it will consider withdrawing some of its staff from Somalia if it becomes too dangerous, Sulieman said.
"For years, we have been operating (in Somalia) on the basis of one day in, one day out," she added.
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